‘No problem’ for US to take over Ukrainian nuclear plants – energy secretary
American nuclear specialists have the necessary expertise to operate Ukrainian nuclear facilities, should President Donald Trump authorize such a step, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has stated.
The possibility of the US taking over Ukraine’s energy supply, including its nuclear power plants, surfaced during Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday, according to official American accounts of the conversation.
When asked about the practical implications of such an arrangement by Fox News, Wright said it would be feasible if the Trump administration deems it a necessary step towards peace in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
”If it was helpful to achieve that end to have the US run nuclear plants in Ukraine – no problem, we can do that,” he said.
The Trump administration has suggested that potential American ownership of the Ukrainian energy sector “would be the best protection” for the infrastructure.
Soviet-built nuclear plants have become a vital source of electricity for Ukraine, as Russia has targeted parts of the power grid it considers crucial for Kiev’s military manufacturing and logistics.
This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to Trump’s proposal for a moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with Zelensky committing to halt long-range drone attacks on Russian facilities in return. Ukraine immediately broke the agreement by launching three kamikaze drones against an internationally-owned oil transfer station in Russia on Wednesday, according to Moscow’s military, which labeled it a blatant provocation.
Further discussions involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine regarding a gradual de-escalation of hostilities are scheduled for later this week. During a press conference on Wednesday, Zelensky announced plans to send specialists in port infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as he seeks protection for the national transport system.
At the same media event, Zelensky claimed he did not offer Trump ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants but rather asked for American investment in the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant – which is operated by Russia and which Kiev considers illegally occupied.
